55 pages • 1 hour read
Fear and Loathing On the Campaign Trail '72
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Book Brief
Fear and Loathing On the Campaign Trail '72
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1973481
Biography • Nonfiction
United States • 1970s
1973
Grand Central Publishing
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 by Hunter S. Thompson is a collection of articles documenting the 1972 U.S. presidential campaign. Presenting a first-person narrative, the text captures the chaotic and dynamic political landscape, offering an inside look at the events, personalities, and strategies that shaped the election year.
Gritty
Informative
Suspenseful
Humorous
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
24,665 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 is praised for its vivid and unfiltered portrayal of the 1972 U.S. presidential campaign. Thompson's gonzo journalism combines satire and incisive political analysis. Critics note its chaotic narrative style may overwhelm some readers, but it effectively captures the era's political turmoil and remains a cult favorite.
Who Should Read Fear and Loathing On the Campaign Trail '72?
A reader who enjoys Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 likely appreciates incisive political analysis mixed with gonzo journalism. Fans of All the President's Men by Woodward and Bernstein or The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe might also enjoy Thompson's unique and bold narrative style.
24,665 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
The 37th president of the United States, he is depicted as a major political antagonist whose actions and ideology contrast starkly with the protagonist's views.
George McGovern
George McGovern
A Democratic candidate for president in the 1972 election, he is portrayed as a potential hero representing ideals of liberalism and opposition to the Vietnam War.
Thomas Eagleton
Thomas Eagleton
Selected as George McGovern’s running mate for the 1972 election, his presence sparks controversy due to his past mental health treatment and symbolizes challenges within the McGovern campaign.
Fear and Loathing On the Campaign Trail '72 is a compilation of articles that Hunter S. Thompson wrote for Rolling Stone magazine, chronicling the 1972 presidential campaign in a unique and gonzo journalism style.
The book explores the use and impact of "fear and loathing" as a political strategy, a term Thompson famously popularized through his works.
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Thompson's vivid and often surreal depiction of the campaign trail offered a radical departure from traditional political journalism, blending fact, fiction, and personal narrative.
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481
Biography • Nonfiction
United States • 1970s
1973
Grand Central Publishing
Adult
18+ years
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